Bowmore – 29 Year Old Timeless Series (70cl, 53.7%)

This is a 29 year old Islay single malt from Bowmore, released in 2023 as part of the Timeless Series in collaboration with the pianist and composer Hania Rani. The edition numbers 3,000 bottles worldwide and was bottled at a cask strength of 53.7%, non-chill-filtered and without added colour. It combines sherry-seasoned European oak casks with ex-bourbon American oak barrels, filled in 1991 and 1992. The black box takes the shape of an hourglass and holds a three-minute sand timer, to give the nose three minutes before the first sip. Dark fruits and sweet cocoa lead the nose, with bitter orange, cherry blossom and liquorice. The palate is markedly sweet, with peat and sea salt. The finish is long and warming, ending dry with peat and salt on the lips.